Trick 'r Treat

Main Plot

"Trick 'r Treat" is a horror anthology film that intertwines four Halloween-themed stories, each connected by the presence of Sam, a mysterious and enigmatic character who wears shabby orange pajamas and a burlap sack over his head. The film explores the consequences of breaking Halloween traditions in a small town. The narratives include a school principal who moonlights as a serial killer, a college virgin seeking the right partner for her first time, a group of teenagers who pull a cruel prank that goes horrifically awry, and an old man who faces the wrath of a true Halloween spirit. Each story unfolds in a non-linear fashion, with characters and events overlapping, revealing dark secrets and twisted fates as the night progresses. The film emphasizes the importance of respecting the customs of Halloween, with Sam acting as the enforcer of its unwritten rules, delivering gruesome retribution to those who dare to ignore them. "Trick 'r Treat" is a celebration of the holiday's traditions and folklore, wrapped in a package of suspense and dark humor.

Characters

• Anna Paquin plays Laurie, a young woman who reveals herself to be a werewolf in a surprise twist, preying on a man at a Halloween party.
• Brian Cox plays Mr. Kreeg, a grumpy old man who is revealed to be a former Halloween night serial killer, facing retribution from the supernatural enforcer of Halloween traditions.
• Dylan Baker plays Steven Wilkins, a high school principal who secretly murders people and buries them in his backyard, intertwining with other characters throughout the film.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of 'Trick 'r Treat,' directed by Michael Dougherty, the interconnected stories come to a close, revealing the consequences of breaking Halloween traditions. The film ends with the character of Mr. Kreeg, a cantankerous old man who earlier in the film had a terrifying encounter with Sam, the enigmatic and supernatural guardian of Halloween traditions. After surviving Sam's attack, Kreeg begins to understand the importance of respecting the customs of Halloween. The final scenes show Kreeg answering his door to give candy to children, indicating that he has learned his lesson. However, his past catches up with him when a group of undead children, whom Kreeg was responsible for killing in a Halloween prank gone wrong years earlier, arrive at his doorstep. The children are revealed to be seeking revenge for their untimely deaths. The movie concludes with these ghostly figures confronting Kreeg, implying that they are there to exact their vengeance, thereby enforcing the moral of the story: the dire consequences of flouting Halloween's sacred traditions. This ending ties together the film’s overarching theme of retribution and the cyclical nature of the holiday's lore.